Press Releases

The City of Topeka announced Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will award the city a grant to help spread awareness and increase participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

The ACP provides qualifying households with a discount on broadband, and a one-time discount on connected devices. Qualifying households are eligible for a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service and up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers. To learn more about the ACP and to apply, visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp.

The city will use its grant funding to advertise the ACP over the next two years through a robust marketing and advertising campaign that includes the use of social media, traditional media, flyers, infographics, standing banners, mailers, a video, and community education events in partnership with the FCC.

Of the $66 million total funds allocated by the FCC, the city will receive just over $90,000. The city is one of two organizations in Kansas to receive the grant. To learn more about the grant awardees, read the FCC announcement at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-66m-affordable-broadband-outreach-grants.

The ACP is funded under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act). The city’s grant period begins on March 30, 2023 and ends in March of 2025.

The city is dedicated to spreading awareness of digital equity, and currently administers the Topeka and Shawnee County Get Digital program (TSC – Get Digital), alongside various community partners. TSC – Get Digital provides affordable and equitable access to computer and internet equipment and services, along with technical support, training opportunities, and digital literacy services for low and moderate-income individuals and families. To date, TSC – Get Digital has distributed more than 600 desktop computers to qualifying 60+ Topekans. You can learn more about TSC – Get Digital by visiting https://www.topeka.org/tscgetdigital/.

 

Over the coming weeks, City of Topeka staff will present the proposed 2025-2034 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Governing Body for consideration. Once the Governing Body has considered and ultimately adopted the final CIP book of projects, the CIP will be formalized through a resolution and ordinance.

What is the CIP?

The CIP is a long-range plan that helps ensure the annual operating budget, capital improvement budget, and long-term financial forecasts align and support the city’s strategic goals and infrastructure needs. The CIP is developed to identify how much funding the city will need to set aside in order to build and improve our infrastructure, lay out project locations, and determine the timing of all capital improvement projects over several years.

The CIP shows capital spending over the next 10 years and is separate from the City’s annual operating budget. Funding for the CIP comes from a variety of sources including: sales tax, city operating funds, and revenue and general obligation bonds. The first 3 years of the CIP are referred to as the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB). The first year of the CIB consists of projects that will be initiated and/or completed during the upcoming year. The second- and third-year of the CIB includes projects that are in the preparation phase.

In order to be included in the CIP, a project should meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Real property acquisition
• Construction of new facilities and/or addition to an existing city facility costing $50,000 or greater
• Public infrastructure projects
• Information technology projects costing $50,000 or greater

Proposed 2025-2034 CIP Highlighted Projects

Public Works Projects

• Proposed funding increase for various street maintenance programs
  • Pavement Management Program and Street Contract Preventative Maintenance Program increased $1.25m and $1m respectively to totals of $11m and $3m. The Pavement Management Program provides support for streets that qualify for mill and overlay, cracksealing and microsurfacing as treatment types. The city uses the pavement condition index (PCI) to determine the treatment type for a street. Generally, streets with a PCI between 31-55 will qualify for mill and overlay and streets with a PCI between 56-70 will qualify for cracksealing and microsurfacing as a treatment type.
• SW 29th – Burlingame Road to Topeka Boulevard
  • This project is slated for 2025 construction and includes road and stormwater improvements.
• SE 29th – Kansas Avenue to Adams
  • This project is slated for 2025 and will be coordinated with the bridge improvements being made over Butcher Creek.
• SW Topeka Boulevard – 15th to 21st
  • This project is pavement rehabilitation along the Boulevard. The project was originally scheduled for 2028, but has been moved up to 2025.

Utilities Projects

• 2025 program funding increased
  • 2025 Water Main Replacement funding increased by $1.6M and Wastewater Lining & Replacement increased by $1.3M.
• Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Maintenance & Rehabilitation Program
  • Redistributed 2026 program funding to the 2025 and 2027 program years to encompass the large scale of projects included in the program.
• SE California & SE 4th St
  • This project is planned for 2026 and addresses capacity concerns in the basin as recommended in the Stormwater Master Plan.
• Prairie Road – SW 21st to SW 23rd St
  • This project is planned for 2025 and will upsize approximately 2600 LF of Storm sewer in an area where significant flood impacts were observed in 2020.

Project Spending by Asset Type

The table to the right highlights various high-level categories that the city may appropriate CIP funding towards over the next five years:

CIP Categories	5 Year Totals
Public Works: Street Projects	$199,155,236
Public Works: Non-Street Projects	$67,942,525
Water Projects	$125,112,862
Stormwater Projects	$48,923,704
Wastewater Projects	$95,105,000
Public Safety Expenditures	$22,897,134
Information Technology Expenditures	$3,615,540
Totals	$562,752,001

Over the coming weeks, City of Topeka staff will present the proposed 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to the Governing Body for consideration. Once the Governing Body has considered and ultimately adopted the final CIP book of projects, the CIP will be formalized through a resolution and ordinance.

Public Works Programs and Projects
• 2026 Pavement Management Program: $14M annually for street maintenance
• NW Menninger Rd & N Topeka Blvd: Intersection re-alignment and widening with Shawnee County sharing 35% of the cost
• SW 45th Street (SW Gage Blvd. to SW Cambridge Ave.): Road widening,resurfacing, and shared-use path construction, with different phases over the next few years

Utilities Programs and Projects
• 2026-2030 Water Main Replacement Program: Focuses on upgrading aging water mains
• Menoken Road Tie Back: Flood mitigation project for levee certification, funded by reallocating prior levee repair funds
• SE California Ave. & SE 4th St.: Stormwater improvements to reduce flooding, especially near a local elementary school

Project Type	5-Year-Totals
Public Works: Non-Street Projects	$ 92,269,763
Public Works: Street Projects	$ 209,390,758
Water Projects	$ 117,684,800
Stormwater Projects	$ 64,171,120
Wastewater Projects	$ 71,930,557
Public Safety Expenditures	$ 29,960,596
Information Technology Expenditures	$ 2,124,000
Totals	$ 587,531,594

What is the CIP? 

The CIP is a long-term plan that aligns the city’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets with strategic goals and infrastructure needs. It details the funding required for infrastructure projects over several years, including project locations and timelines. The CIP spans 10 years – separate from the annual operating budget – and is funded by sources like sales tax, city funds, and bonds. The first three years are the Capital Improvement Budget (CIB), with the first year focusing on immediate projects and the next two years on preparation. Projects eligible for the CIP must meet certain criteria, including real property acquisition or construction of new facilities costing $50,000 or more. More information can be found at www.topeka.org/finance/capital-improvement-projects/ 

The City of Topeka will reopen its buildings to the public on May 18^th. Social distancing and other restrictive measures will be enforced in all city buildings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Plexiglas partitions have been installed in the City Express Payment Center at the Holliday Building and at the clerk’s office in the Municipal Court to help lessen person to person contact. Anyone who needs to meet with staff in person can meet in the first floor conference room of City Hall or the Holliday building. Everyone who does business in city buildings is strongly encouraged to wear a mask at all times while in the building.

The Municipal Court will open to the public on May 18^th. Municipal Court hours of operation will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In order to comply with guidelines from the State of Kansas, Shawnee County Health Authority, and the Kansas Supreme Court, restrictions are being put into place for visitors to the courthouse and probation. Social distancing and other restrictive measures will be enforced for the safety of the staff and the public. All persons entering the courthouse or probation offices are strongly encouraged to wear masks at all times while in the building.

• Defendants are encouraged to check the status of their case on public access at: https://court.topeka.org/fullcourtweb/start.do
• Defendants can call the Municipal Court to check the status of their case 785-368-3776.
• The number of individuals in the courthouse at one time will be limited and is dependent upon which phase Shawnee County is in each week. This means that at certain times, it may be a “one-in, one-out” situation and persons will be required to wait outside the courthouse before being allowed in to conduct their business.
  • Only those with court business/probation appointments will be permitted in the building. Defendants should not bring family/friends/observers to their court hearings and should make all attempts for alternate childcare arrangements.
  • To maintain appropriate social distancing in the courtrooms, defendants may be required to wait in the lobby or outside the building during larger dockets.
• Defendants who report or are displaying symptoms of illness, are caring for someone ill, or are in a high risk category, should contact their attorney to request a continuance. Defendants without an attorney may file a motion for continuance by email or fax. Defendants should expect to attend their court hearing until the continuance has been granted by a judge.
• Defendants are advised:
  • Anyone entering the courthouse or probation office will be denied access as follows:
    • If the person has been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or is suspected to have had, COVID-19 within the last 14 days;
    • If the person is experiencing two or more of the COVID-19 symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; or
    • If the person has traveled within the previous 14 days to an area subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions imposed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment
  • Anyone denied access to the courthouse for the above reasons may contact the clerk’s office at 785-368-3776 for instructions on rescheduling or otherwise completing their court business.

Gov. Lara Kelly, will sign a proclamation at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3rd, to designate April 26th Kansas Arbor Day. The Governor will be joined by members of the Kansas Forest Service, the Kansas Arborist Association, and City of Topeka Arborist Travis Tenbrink.
“This is an important opportunity to celebrate Arbor Day and the importance that tree’s play in our lives,” said City of Topeka Arborist Travis Tenbrink. “This is a great way to get the community involved in planting trees and we hope that it will encourage others to plant a tree during our celebration of Arbor Day.”
Following the signing the group will be planting a White Oak across the street from the Capital at the Judicial Center. The White Oak was selected to increase the diversity of trees being planted in the downtown area.

Gov. Jeff Colyer, signed a proclamation at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 23rd, in his office at the Capitol designating Friday, April 27, Kansas Arbor Day. The Governor will be joined by members of the Kansas Forest Service, the Kansas Arborist Association board, and City of Topeka Arborist Travis Tenbrink.

“This is an important opportunity to celebrate Arbor Day and the importance that tree’s play in our lives,” said City of Topeka Arborist Travis Tenbrink. “This is a great way to get the community involved in planting trees and we hope that it will encourage others to plant a tree on Arbor Day.”

Before the signing, the group planted a Swamp White Oak on the capital grounds at 9:45 a.m. The Swamp Oak will be the first tree of its kind on the capital grounds. It was selected to create a diversity of trees at the capital.

The City of Topeka is actively addressing ongoing concerns regarding overflowing dumpsters and property maintenance violations at multiple properties owned by a local landlord. Despite previous engagement and citations issued by the city’s Property Maintenance Unit, the property owner failed to clean up the affected sites within the allotted timeframe.

As of Tuesday, December 31, 14 of the 34 originally cited properties remain in violation. In response, the City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Unit began a coordinated cleanup effort at 8:00 a.m. All trash and rubbish will be removed and properly disposed of at the Green Point C and D Processing Center throughout the week. The costs associated with this cleanup will be charged to the property owner, Eucalyptus LLC. Properties that lack the required dumpsters have been cited, and criminal affidavits for these violations will also be processed.

The city recognizes that some tenants may be hesitant to report property maintenance issues, such as overflowing dumpsters or unsafe living conditions, due to fear of retaliation or eviction. To address these concerns, the Topeka City Council strengthened its retaliatory eviction ordinance in May 2024. This ensures that residents can assert their right to a clean, safe, and sanitary home without fear of repercussions.
Residents can find more information about their rights under city ordinance and resources for addressing retaliatory actions by visiting the City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Division website: https://www.topeka.org/tpd/property-maintenance-division/retaliatory-eviction/.
Tenants and community members are encouraged to report property maintenance concerns to the City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Division by calling 785-368-3161, using the SeeClickFix app, or emailing propertymaintenance@topeka.org

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) requested the closure of several City streets in downtown Topeka due to safety concerns specific to the railing of the Polk-Quincy Viaduct. KDOT reports the I-70 bridge roadway maintains its structural integrity, and is safe to drive on.

The closure of 2nd St. from just west of SW Van Buren St. to just east of S Kansas Ave. was made out of an abundance of caution for the safety of drivers and pedestrians near and under the viaduct.

This closure is effective immediately. Detours are posted. Drivers and pedestrians are asked to avoid the area.

 

Last Friday, City of Topeka crews successfully completed their storm debris clean-up operation from the July 14 storm that caused city-wide damage.

Crews spent four consecutive weeks cleaning up debris from city residents’ curbs free of charge. The city has an estimated 1,600 lane miles of roadway, all of which were covered in the operation. During the operation, customer service staff from the city’s call center helped generate more than 500 service requests related to storm debris.

The city would like to thank residents for the gratitude and patience they showed over the last month. City leaders are exceptionally proud of the crews and staff who worked tirelessly to make these efforts possible.

 

In 2020 the City of Topeka Housing Services Division created COVID-19 assistance programs to help with basic needs and small businesses in the community who have been impacted by COVID-19. These federal dollars have been and continue to be a great resource to the businesses and individuals struggling in Topeka. The City of Topeka has helped 23 small businesses and 177 individuals since the program started. Funding is still available.

“We have seen a great need in our community for assistance due to the impacts of COVID-19,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services. “The Operation COVID-19 Assistance programs were designed to help our small businesses stay open and keep our neighbors housed.”

Applications for the Small Business Grant program were accepted beginning on October 1^st, 2020. Nineteen applications have been approved and 28% of the funds have been committed and paid. 83% of the recipients of the grant are minority or woman owned businesses. The average grant for approved applicants is $12,486.

The Small Business Grant Program provides operating assistance to sole proprietors and business owners employing 1-25 persons as of March 1^st 2020 to keep residents employed. For a business to qualify for this grant they must be owned, or employ low to moderate income persons and demonstrate a need. Applicants can apply up to $20,000 in assistance and are eligible for expenses including payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities, loss of inventory or COVID related purchases.

Applications for the Basic Needs Assistance Program were accepted beginning on December 1^st, 2020. Thirty-one percent of the funds have been committed and expensed in two months. 177 applications have been approved so far with $427,259 in funds having been paid.

The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is a foreclosure/eviction mitigation and utility prevention shut-off program created by the City of Topeka and administered by the Community Resources Council. $1.5 million in CARES Act funds are available to qualified applicants to help cover expenses and help keep people housed and with utilities. The program is by appointment only and applicants must be city residents, have COVID related outstanding bills after March 2020 and match no more than 100% of area median income. Appointments can be scheduled over the phone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (785) 233-1365. If the line is busy, leave your name and phone number and CRC staff will call back to schedule an appointment.

 

More information on the COVID assistance programs can be found on the City of Topeka website. https://www.topeka.org/housing-services/covid-assistance-programs/

 

You can view the full report on the COVID Assistance Programs here: https://cot-wp-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/planning/HSRptJan2021.pdf